Bran Castle

Absolutely not Dracula’s Castle, Bran really does look the part, as though it ought to be Dracula’s Castle. The truth is that Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Ţepeş) - the inspiration behind part of the Dracula myth - never spent much time here. The ruins of his real castle are at Poienari, on the other side of the Carpathians.

Perched on a rock, strategically overlooking one of the most important mediaeval trading routes in this part of Europe, Bran is certainly impressive - even scary - from afar. And while Romanians are quick to point out that Bran Castle has indeed little to do with our fanged friend, you’ll notice quickly that the local tourist authorities have become experts in making innocent tourists believe otherwise.

The castle was constructed in 1377 to guard the mountain pass and to levy a tax on all merchants passing through. The castle was for a long time the property of the city of Brasov, but in 1921 it was offered as a summer residence to Romania’s Queen Marie. She loved the place, and planted the apple trees in the field below the castle, as well as a flower garden. Inside the castle you can today wander through the intriguing maze of corridors, staircases and explore many of the fascinating rooms.

Website

Open

Price/Additional Info

Admission 35 lei, senior citizens 25 lei, students 20 lei. A photography and filming fee is included in the price. There is a regular (hourly) bus service to Bran from Brasov’s Autogara No. 2 (A-1). Tickets cost 7 lei and can be bought on board. A taxi will cost around 80 lei.